He shut the Lincoln Way shop in March, a year after Co-op opened a store at the former Lincoln Arms pub, taking custom from his shop.

It came after he spearheaded a 1,400-name petition campaign opposing The Lincoln Arms’ sell-off for a convenience store.

Newsagent Gary Redburn has submitted plans to turn the former Mace shop into a drinking venue (Image: Katie Pugh)

The Lincoln Arms was one of three pubs to close on the south side of Beverley.

Mr Redburn has told East Riding Council: “We are looking to restore the status quo to the south side of Beverley , with all three public houses closing in the past few years – The Victoria, The Lincoln Arms and The Royal Oak.”

He is proposing a venue where local people can go and socialise and spend a couple of hours at the end of the working day.

MP Graham Stuart, left, met Mr Redburn and residents in 2015 to hear their concerns about the loss of The Lincoln Arms, which became a convenience store (Image: Peter Harbour)

Mr Redburn says: “By looking for change of use of the retail unit, we are looking to establish more than a drinking establishment, but a focal point, a community hub.

“Somewhere for local residents, across the full spectrum of ages, to go meet neighbours, friends, spend quality time just having a chat, some companionship, or just obtaining the name of that trusted tradesman for that urgent repair.”

Mr Redburn has told the council it appears nearby residents would welcome the return of “a lost community asset”.

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His venue would be four times smaller than the former pub so he says any concerns about noise would be minimal.

He adds: “Also, as we are looking to provide a service for local residents, we would envisage a high percentage of customers would walk down to pub, although there is some off road parking to the front of the property and a small car park to the rear.”

East Riding ward Councillor Kerri Harold was handed Mr Redburn’s petition which protested against the loss of The Lincoln Arms in 2015.

Gary Redburn, pictured with Cllr Harold, tried to save The Lincoln Arms in 2015 and now plans to open a pub at his ex-Mace newsagent's shop

Cllr Harold has not had chance to view his plans yet but says: “He’s absolutely right, there is nowhere within walking distance for anyone to have any kind of sit-down, socialising.

“It was a backward step in my opinion to lose the pub. This now seems like a really innovative way of transforming the old shop.

“I fully support the ethos around this, although there are other things that would need to be taken into consideration.”